Crime and Punishment

A crime is a serious offence such as murder or robbery. A punishment is a penalty imposed on somebody
who is convicted of a crime. A punishment could be, for example, time in prison or a fine.

There is an important difference between criminal law and civil law. Criminal law deals with matters
such as murder. Civil law deals with matters such as contracts or divorce. The police are not normally
involved in civil law.

Questions from law breakers or suspected criminals

 Why did you pull me over?
 Have I done something wrong?
 Is this illegal?
 What are my rights?
 Can I call a lawyer?
 Where are you taking me?
 Can I make a phone call?

Questions police may ask a suspected criminal

 Are you carrying any illegal drugs?
 Do you have a weapon?
 Does this belong to you?
 Whose car is this?
 Where were you at eight last night?

Informing someone of laws and police procedures

 You are under arrest.
 Put your hands on your head.
 I am taking you to the police station.
 Please get in the police car.
 You will have to pay a fine for this.
 I will give you a warning this time.
 I'm going to write you a ticket.
 We'll tow your car to the station.
 Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.
 It is against the law to do drugs in public.

Types of crime
Crime Definition

abduction/kidnapping taking a person to a secret location using force

armed robbery using a weapon to steal

arson setting fire to a place on purpose

assault hurting another person physically

attempted murder trying to kill someone (but failing)

burglary, going into another person's home or business with force

breaking and entering

child abuse injuring a child on purpose

domestic violence physical assault that occur within the home

drug trafficking trading illegal drugs

drunk driving driving after having too much alcohol

fraud lying or cheating for business or monetary purposes

hijacking holding people in transit hostage (usually on a plane)

murder/homicide taking someone's life through violence

shoplifting stealing merchandise from a store

smuggling bringing products into a country secretly and illegally

speeding driving beyond the speed limit

terrorism acts of crime against a group (political/religious) or another country

theft stealing

torture extremely cruel and unfair treatment (often towards prisoners)

vandalism damaging public or private property (for example with spray paint)

white collar crime breaking the law in business

Types of punishment
Punishment Definition
(example offence)

traffic ticket leaves marks on driving record/involves paying a fine

(speeding, parking)

license suspension driving rights are removed for a certain period of time
(drunk driving)

fine pay money as punishment for minor/petty crime

(hunting out of season)

house arrest remain in one's home for a certain period of time

(a young offender who is waiting to go
to court)

community service do volunteer work such as teaching children about crime or

(a youth that steals a car for the first cleaning up garbage
time)

jail time spend a certain amount of months or years locked away from
(man who assaults his wife) society

life in prison spend the rest of one's life in prison with no chance of going
(a woman who commits homicide) back into society